Packaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

Packaging apparatus having an infeed conveyor for feeding material thereto and flow diverting means for diverting the flow from the packaging apparatus onto a recirculating conveyor means in response to a signal from the packaging apparatus thereby maintaining a continuous, recirculating and efficient flow of material when the packaging apparatus is unable to accept further amounts of the material. The infeed conveyor comprises a plurality of consecutive, end-to-end, multiple-row conveyor sections, each section including a plurality of conveyor rows, each row segregated by guide means into a plurality of columns of flow. Variable speed drive means is provided for the conveyor sections such that the material is accelerated as it is carried from section to section in the various columns of flow to space the material along the conveyor sections.

[ Apr. 30, 1974 PACKAGING APPARATUS [75] Inventor: Lee S. Kihnke, Spring Lake, Mich.

[73] Assignee: Dake Corporation, Grand Haven,

Mich.

221 Filed: May 17, 1972 21 AppLNo; 254,076

[52] US. Cl. 53/59 W, 53/126 [51] Int. Cl B65b 57/16 [58] Field of Search 53/59 R, S9 W, 126;

198/30, 31 AB, 31 AC, 76; 221/159, 160

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,536,516 1/1951 Peterson 53/59 W 3,155,221 11/1964 Griner 198/76 X 3,554,353 1/1971 Raudat 198/30 3,193,078 7/1965 Ahenta et a1. 198/31 AG 3,512,336 5/1970 Rosencrans 198/31 X 2,941,649 6/1960 Raphael 198/30 3,087,602 4/1963 Hinkle, Jr 198/220 BA Primary ExaminerTravis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner-John Sipos Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Price, Heneveld, Huizenga & Cooper ABSTRACT Packaging apparatus having an infeed conveyor for feeding material thereto and flow diverting means for diverting the flow from the packaging apparatus onto a recirculating conveyor means in response to a signal from the packaging apparatus thereby maintaining a continuous, recirculating and efficient flow of material when the packaging apparatus is unable to accept further amounts of the material. The infeed conveyor comprises a plurality of consecutive, end-to-end, multiple-row conveyor sections, each section including a plurality of conveyor rows, each row segregated by guide means into a plurality of columns of flow. Variable speed drive means is provided for the conveyor sections such that the material is accelerated as it is carried from section to section in the various columns of flow to space the material along the conveyor sections.

27 Claims, 9 Drawing ljigures GAT E RETURNING PATEF-I'I'EU PR 30 I974 AIR SUPPLY 'UNE SHEET 5 BF 5 OMPRESSED AIR SUPPLY GATE DIVERTING AIR SUPPLY LINE.

VALVE I SIGNAUNG MEANS VALVE TIMING 05 IO S I20 i 4 I I02 mU J PACKAGING APPARATUS This invention relates to packaging apparatus and, more particularly, to such apparatus for packaging elongated articles such as carrots. More specifically, this apparatus includes infeed conveyor means which conveys the articles and material, such as carrots, to a packaging apparatus and also includes a diverter means for diverting the flow of said articles or material which the packaging means cannot handle from said packaging apparatus to a recirculating conveyor for transportation back to a portion of said infeed conveyor means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has long been common to use conveyors for feeding products, articles and material into packaging machines or apparatus such that a continuous supply of products, articles or material is maintained for the packaging machine. Such infeed conveyors usually have taken the form of generally rectilinear conveyors which fed directly into the packaging apparatus, or circular conveyors which continuously rotated the material to be packaged to and from several circumferentially spaced packaging machines. When the rectilinear conveyors were used, they normally fed into a hopper or other holding means directly associated with the packaging apparatus. If the hopper or holding means became full, or in any way became clogged or jammed, the rectilinear conveyor would have to be stopped to prevent spillage or waste of the transported material. This required stopping the entire line in back of the package machine. Similarly, with the circular conveyors if jamming or clogging occurred at the entrance to any of the packaging machines, the normal circular flow of material past the entrances to each of the packaging machines would be disturbed and/or halted due to the jamming. Additionally, the circular conveyors had the disadvantage of requiring additional means to take the material off the circular conveyor and into the packaging machines since the inertia of the material was in a circumferential direction and not directly into the packaging machines. Therefore, conveyors used in the past required either intermittent stopping and starting to control the amount of material fed into the packaging machine, or constant attention to prevent jamups which would otherwise impair the continuity of flow on the conveyors. In either of these instances, the efficiency of the conveyor system was accordingly reduced due to intermittent operation or the required constant attention.

Particularly in packaging produce such as carrots, where the shape of the carrots is elongated and thin, the use of circular conveyors or conveyors which operate intermittently is not efficient. Articles such as carrots must be properly oriented, aligned and carried in preparation for, insertion into packaging machines since their unique shapes otherwise cause much difficulty during automated handling. Thus, carrots easily jam such packaging machines which are frequently stopped and started and which do not properly control the orientation thereof prior to insertion in a packaging machine.

Consequently, the need was apparent for an infeed conveyor means or apparatus which could be used in conjunction with a packaging means or apparatus and which would function continuously, be highly efficient,

and prevent the spillage or waste of the transported material. Additionally, such infeed apparatus should be able to handle a high volume of uniquely shaped material without jamming or interrupting the flow of material on the infeed apparatus itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object and feature of the present invention to provide an infeed conveyor means for use in conjunction with a packaging apparatus, said packaging apparatus while at the same time providing a means for accommodating all the articles fed to the conveyor means upstream of the packaging apparatus.

It is another object and feature of the present invention to provide infeed conveyor means for use in conjunction with packaging apparatus which includes means for assuring the continuous flow of the material to be transported and for aligning and orienting such material on the infeed conveyor preparatory to being packaged by said packaging apparatus.

It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide an infeed conveyor means having multiple rows, each row carrying a plurality of columns of transported material such that a high volume of material may be efficiently conveyed.

Finally, it is yet another object and feature of the present invention to provide an infeed conveyor means having a plurality of sections with means for spacing and orienting the material or articles along said sections.

These and other objects and features of the present -invention may be accomplished by providing an infeed conveyor for a packaging means for transporting a flow of articles or material, said infeed conveyor including a flow diverting means for diverting excess material or articles which cannot be handled by the packaging means from the discharge end of the final conveyor section to a recirculating conveyor means positioned at the discharge end of the final conveyor means. The packaging means includes a signal means for producing a signal at predetermined times, said flow diverting means being responsive to the predetermined signal from the signal means and driven by flow diverting power means. The recirculating conveyor means is positioned so as to receive the flow of articles from the columns diverted by said flow diverting means in order to return the diverted articles upstream of the conveyor. Thus, with this system the articles or material can be fed continuously to said infeed conveyor without jamming the packaging means.

The infeed conveyor includes a plurality of conveyor sections, each of the sections including an infeed and a discharge end. The conveyor sections are positioned consecutively end to end with the first of the consecutive conveyor means or sections feeding the articles or material to the second of the consecutive conveyor means. Each of the consecutive conveyor sections includes guide means for segregating the articles or material into a plurality of columns and means for orienting the articles along said columns. Such orienting means includes a reciprocating means for reciprocating the first conveyor guide means transverse to the direction of flow of the articles on the first conveyor means.

The infeed conveyor also includes variable speed drive means for driving each of the consecutive conveyor sections at successively faster speeds such that the articles are spaced along the conveyor before being conveyed to the packaging means.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the second and third conveyor sections of the preferred embodiment of the invention which includes the discharge end of the conveyor;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the first and second conveyor sections of the preferred embodiment of the invention which includes the infeed end of the conveyor;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the first conveyor section taken along line lIlIIl of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the second conveyor section taken along line IVIV of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an end view of the third or discharge conveyor section taken along line VV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the third or discharge conveyor section;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the second or intermediate conveyor section;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the first or infeed conveyor section; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic drawing of air supply and controls operably associated with the flow diverting means incorporated at the discharge end of the discharge conveyor section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the infeed conveyor or apparatus 10 which in the preferred embodiment comprises three consecutive conveyor sections including a first section 12, a second or intermediate section 50, and a third or discharge conveyor means 80. Each conveyor section has an infeed end and a discharge end. Thus, the infeed section 12 includes an infeed end 14 and a discharge end 16, the intermediate section includes an infeed end 51 and a discharge end 52, and the discharge section 80 includes an infeed end 81 and a discharge end 82. The conveyor sections 12, 50 and 80 are placed consecutively end to end such that discharge end 16 feeds the transported articles or material onto infeed end 51, and discharge end 52 feeds the transported articles or material onto infeed end 81.

Each conveyor section includes three conveyor rows arranged side by side such that multiple-row conveyors are formed. Thus, the first or infeed section 12 includes rows 18, 19 and 20, the second or intermediate section includes conveyor rows 53, 54 and 55 and the third or discharge station includes conveyor rows 83, 84 and 85. Each of the conveyor rows is segregated into two columns a and b by means of guide means 21, 56 and 86 mounted over the respective consecutive conveyor sections. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each respective column feeds the corresponding column on the next consecutive conveyor section, e.g., column 18a feeds column 53a which in turn feeds column 83a.

the type described in concurrently filed applications entitled PRODUCT PACKAGINGAPPARATUS, invented by Lee S. Kihnke, Ser. No. 254,074, filed on even date herewith, and BAG HOLDING APPARA- TUS AND METHOD FOR PACKAGING, invented by Lee S. Kihnke and Dewey L. Thompson, Ser. No. 254,075, filed on even date herewith, both of which are incorporated by reference herein. Specifically, the apparatus 10 may be advantageously used to package produce such as carrots. Because of their thin, elongated shape, carrots must be properly oriented and aligned prior to insertion into the packaging apparatus 101. Thus, the rectilinear conveyor sections carry the carrots in several columns and rows straight into packaging apparatus 101 without abruptly changing their direction, unless the carrots are deliberately diverted. As will be more fully described below, the conveyance and orientation of the carrots is facilitated by controlling the speed of each conveyor section and by incorporating reciprocating guide means on at least one section.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 8, in addition to FIGS. 1 and 2, the particular construction of the guide means 21, 56 and 86, and the conveyor rows 18, 19, 20, 53, 54, 55, 83, 84 and 85 for the respective consecutive multiple-row conveyor sections 12, 50 and 80 will become more apparent. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8, the guide means 21 for the first or infeed section 12 comprise a plurality of sloped walls 22 spaced apart and mounted over the three conveyor rows of section 12 by means of cross members 23. The conveyor rows 18, 19 and 20 are constructed of a plurality of elongated cylindrical and adjustable rollers 24 rotatably supported on shafts 25. The shafts 25 in turn are supported by bearings 32 mounted on frame 26 of the infeed or first section 12. One of the shafts 25 is driven by a motor 27 thorugh a reduction gear box 28, a sprocket 29, a chain 30 and a shaft sprocket 31. AS shown in FIG. 8, the rollers 24 support three endless, flexible belts 35, the tension on which is adjustable by means of take-up rollers 34. As is best seen in FIG. 3, the sloped walls 22 in combination with the flexible belts form a plurality of troughs 36 with the bottom of the troughs formed by the continuously moving belts 35. The troughs 36 are further segregated into columns a and b, as described above by longitudinal guide members 37. Between the rotating rollers 24 at the infeed and discharge ends 14 and 16 of section 12, the endless flexible belts 35 are supported by the frame 26 which extends along the length of the troughs 3 beneath the belts 35 thereby forming a surface on which the belt 35 is slidably supported.

An additional feature of the first or infeed section guide means 21 is the reciprocation of guide means 21 in order to facilitate the orientation of the articles or material transported on the conveyor along the length of the first section 12. The reciprocation is accomplished by a reciprocating means 38 comprising a right angle gear box 39 driven by means of a chain 40 which is in turn driven by a sprocket 41 mounted on the end of one of the shafts 25. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the right angle gear box 39 rotates an eccentrically mounted cam 42 which in turn reciprocates an adjustable drive rod 43. The drive rod 43is in turn engaged with a drive block 44 and cross arm 45. The cross arm 45 is in turn bolted to clamping blocks 46, which clamping blocks securely attach the guide means 21 to the reciprocal shafts 47. Shafts 47 in turn are mounted in thrust bearings 48.

The operation of the reciprocating means will now be understood. The driven shaft rotates chain which in turn drives the right angle gear box 39 and the eccentrically mounted cam 42 attached thereto. Since the drive rod is eccentrically mounted on cam 42, the rotation of cam 42 causes the rod 43 to reciprocate back and forth in a type of scotch yoke action. The reciprocation of rod 43 causes drive block 44 and cross arm 45 to reciprocate which in turn drives clamping block 46, with shaft 47 reciprocating back and forth within thrust bearings 48. Since the clamping blocks 46 are fixedly attached to guide means 21, the entire guide means 21 reciprocates back and forth transverse to the direction of flow of the articles or material transported by the conveyor over the first conveyor section. This reciprocating motion causes the articles-carried by the conveyor section 12 to be oriented along the direction of flow thereby facilitating the transportation of these items. Apertures 49 are cut in frame 26 as shown in FIG. 2 to provide a space within which the blocks 46 reciprocate as they support the guide means 21.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7, the second or intermediate conveyor means or section 50 will be more particularly described. As shown therein, section 50 is also a multiple-row conveyor section having a plurality of elongated cylindrical adjustable rollers 57 mounted on shaft sections 58. Shaft sections 58 are interconnected by couplers 59 and supported on bearings 60 mounted on frame 61. Rollers 57 rotatably support three flexible endless belts 62 which again, as in infeed section 12, form the bottoms of troughs 63 which are formed therewith by guide means 56. Guide menas 56 include sloped walls 64 which in combination with belts 62 form troughs 63. Sloped walls 64 are supported over the belts 62 by means of cross members 65 and support members 66. Endless belts 62 are driven on rollers 57 by means of a motor 67 which drives a sprocket 70 through a reduction gear box 68 and a chain 69. The tension on belt 62 may be adjusted by adjustable takeup rollers 71. In a manner similar to that described with section 12, longitudinal guide member 72 segregate the flow of articles or material transported by the conveyor into columns a and b on the respective conveyor rows as shown in FIG. 4. At least one of the sloped walls 64 on the two outside conveyor rows 53 and 55 is mounted so as to converge toward its opposing sloped wall 64 along with longitudinal guide member 72 which is also mounted so as to converge towards sloped wall 64. Thus, conveyor rows 53 and 55 are segregated into columns 63a and 63b and 55a and 55b which become narrower as they approach the discharge end 52 of section 50. Center row 54 which is segregated into columns 54a and 54b is somewhat narrower all along its length. Thus, the narrowing of the exterior rows 53 and 55 and the narrowness of the center row 54 help align the articles or material transported by the conveyor as it is prepared for transfer to the final or discharge section of the infeed conveyor.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, the third or discharge section 80 includes three conveyor rows 83, 84 and 85 as mentioned above. Rows 83, 84 and 85 are formed as in the other conveyor sections 50 and 12 by means of rollers 87 mounted on shaft sections 88 which are coupled by means of couplers 89. Rollers 87 are supported by frame members 90. Rollers 87 in turn rotatably support endless flexible belts 91 which are further supported by frame members 90. Frame members 90 provide a slidable support surface beneath the belts 91 between rollers 87. Take-up rollers 92 may be used to adjust the tension on belt 91. Rollers 87 and belts 91 are driven by a motor 93 which drives a sprocket 96 mounted on shaft section 88 by means of a reduction gear box 94 and a chain 95.

The flow of articles or material carried by the conveyor section 80 is controlled on conveyor rows 83, 84 and 85 by means of discharge section guide means 86. Guide means 86 includes cross members 97 and support members 98 supporting sidewalls 99 and V-shaped islands 100 which define the columns a and b on the respective conveyor rows 83, 84 and 85. V-shaped islands 100 and sidewalls 99 further segregate the flow of articles or material transported by conveyor section 80 and divergently direct the flow toward the discharge end 82 of section 80. As the flow of articles or material approaches the discharge end 82, the flow will be directed either into the packaging apparatus or means 101 shown schematically in FIG. 1, or be directed by flow diverting means 102 onto recirculating conveyor means 120.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 9, flow diverting means 102 comprises a plurality of pivotal extensions or gates 103 which extend from and are pivotally mounted on the spaced ends of V-shaped flow directing islands 100. Pivotal extensions or gates 103 are driven by flow diverting power means 104 which comprises a plurality of compressed air cylinders 105 including movable extensible and retractable shafts 106. Cylinders 105 are pivotally mounted between gates 103 and the cross member 97 nearest the discharge end 82, as shown in FIG. 1. Cylinders 105 operate in response to a predetermined signal from packaging apparatus 101 to extend or retract shafts 106 causing gates 103 to pivot across the columns of articles or material flowing along conveyor section 80, thereby diverting the flow of the columns either onto the recirculating conveyor means or allowing the flow to continue on into the packaging apparatus 101. The predetermined signal is supplied normally by a signaling means (FIG. 9) associated with the packaging means or apparatus 101 which indicates that the hoppers or buckets included with the packaging apparatus 101 are full or clogged and cannot 4 accept any more of the transported articles or material.

When this happens, the signal is given by the signaling means and the compressed air cylinders are activated to pivot gates 103 across the flow on conveyor section 80 to the position shown by the phantom lines in FIGS. 1 and 9. As described in the concurrently filed application incorporated by reference herein and referred to above, the activation of this signaling means may occur from other sources such as when the bag holding apparatus is empty. In this diverted position, the gates 103 will divert the flow of articles or material against deflection plate 101' causing the flow to fall onto the recirculating conveyor means 120, as shown by the dotted arrows in FIGS. 1, 6 and 9. When no signal has been given by the signaling means, e.g., when the hoppers or buckets are not filled or clogged or when a sufficient supply of packaging bags remains in the packaging apparatus, the gates 103 areallowed to remain in the unpivoted position, shown by the solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 9 thereby allowing the flow of articles or material to fall directly into the buckets or hoppers of the packaging apparatus 101, as shown by the solid arrows in FIGS. 1, 6 and 9. A timing means (FIG. 9) may be incorporated with air control valve means and compressed air supply means for the compressed air cylin-' ders 105 in order to automatically pivot gates 103 back to their unpivoted or starting positions, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9. Thus, the flow diverting means, as powered by the flow diverting power means 104 provide an automatic control means for diverting the flow of articles or material on conveyor section 80 onto the recirculating conveyor means 120 thereby preventing any jam-ups on the infeed conveyor 10 anywhere along its length and also allowing the continuous operation of the conveyor 10 without allowing any waste or spillage of the transported articles or material.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the recirculating conveyor means is shown in greater detail. As depicted therein, conveyor means 120 comprises a single conveyor having a drive roller 121 and a supporting roller 122 which are mounted on a frame 123 extending below and between the discharge end 82 of conveyor section 80 and packaging means 101. Drive roller 121 drives an endless flexible belt 124 supported on rollers 121 and 122 by means of a motor 125, reduction gear box 126 and chain 127. The flow of material or recirculating conveyor means 120 is supported and guided on belt 124 by means of a support channel 128 having channel sidewalls 129 which confine theflow of articles or material on recirculating conveyor means to the desired course. As shown in these figures, the recirculating conveyor means 120 is mounted transverse to the direction of flow on conveyor section 80 such that articles or material directed onto the conveyor 120 by gates 103 will be transported away from conveyor section 80 to another conveyor (not shown) or any other convenient and available means which may be used to transport the diverted articles or material back to the infeed end 14 of the infeed section 12.

It is contemplated that only two conveyor sections, i.e., an infeed and a discharge section, may be used to accomplish the purposes of this invention without altering the spirit thereof. Similarly, it is also contemplated that several different types of belts may be utilized on the various conveyor sections including fibrous rubberized belts and extruded plastic belts.

As described above, the four motors 27, 67, 93 and 125 are all independent of one another and all include control means for varying the speed of the respective conveyors and conveyor sections. Thus, in the preferred embodiment described above, the successive consecutive conveyor sections will ordinarily be controlled to operate at successively greater speeds such that the articles or materials transported will be accelerated over the length of the infeed conveyor 10. For example, the normal operational speeds of the various conveyor sections will be set such that the first or in-.

feed section runs at a speed of 75 to 100 feet per minute, the second or intermediate section runs at a speed of approximately 200 feet per minute and a third or discharge section runs at a speed of approximately 250 feet per minute. The speed of the recirculating conveyor may also be varied in accordance with the speeds of the other conveyor sections. These variable speeds allow the articles or material transported by the conveyor to be accelerated evenly along the length of each conveyor section. This facilitates the orientation of the articles or material on the conveyors and helps prevent jamming or clogging along the length thereof.

Therefore, it is apparent that the complete infeed conveyor 10 which is particularly useful in packaging produce such as carrots, comprises three consecutively positioned conveyor sections 12, 50 and 80. These sections have guide means 21, 56 and 86 which segregate the flow of articles or material transported by the conveyor 10 into six columnsof flow. These columns of flow ordinarily are allowed to enter a packaging means or apparatus 101 at the discharge end 82 of the discharge station unless a signal is received from a signaling means indicating that the packaging means is unable to accept any more material. When this occurs,- the air cylinders 105 are activated, thereby pivoting gates 103 across the flow of articles or material. The flow is thus diverted onto a recirculating conveyor which carries the diverted articles or material away from the infeed conveyor section 80 where it may be transported by another conveyor means (not shown) or manual means to the infeed end 14 of the infeed section 12. Thus, continuous operation of the infeed conveyor 10 is insured by the novel combination of conveyor means, flow diverting and flow diverting power means, and recirculating conveyor means which are all co-ordinated to work in conjunction with a packaging apparatus for the efiicient and continuous supply of material and articles to be packaged to that packaging apparatus.

' While several forms of the invention have been shown and described, other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims which follow.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows.

1. Apparatus for packaging means including an infeed conveyor for transporting a flow of articles comprising in combination at least two conveyor means, each of said conveyor means including an infeed and a discharge end, said conveyor means positioned consecutively end to end, the first of said conveyor means feeding said articles onto the second of said consecutive conveyor means, said first consecutive conveyor means being the first of said conveyor means to convey said articles; packaging means positioned at the discharge end of said second conveyor means; recirculating conveyor means positioned intermediate said packaging means and said discharge end of said second conveyor means; said second conveyor means including means for causing said articles to flow in a free trajectory over said recirculating conveyor means and into said packaging means; flow diverting means for diverting said articles from said packaging means to said intermediate recirculating conveyor means; said packaging means including signal means for producing a signal responsive to a predetermined condition of said packaging means; power means for actuating said flow diverting means; said power means actuating said flow diverting means in response to said signal from said signal means; said recirculating conveyor means positioned so as to receive said flow of articles diverted by said flow diverting means in order to convey said articles away from said discharge end of said second conveyor.

2. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said consecutive conveyor means include means for driving said consecutive conveyor means at successively faster speeds such that said articles are accelerated to a speed sufiicient to carry them into said packaging means from said discharge end of said second consecutive conveyor means, said acceleration causing said articles to be evenly spaced along the length of said consecutive conveyors, said first consecutive conveyor means being driven at the slowest speed and said second consecutive conveyor means being driven at a faster speed.

3. The packaging apparatus of claim 1 in which each of said consecutive conveyor means includes guide means for dividing said articles into columns such that each of said conveyor means carries at least two columns of articles.

4. Apparatus for packaging means including an infeed conveyor for transporting a flow of articles comprising in combination at least two conveyor means, each of said conveyor means including an infeed and a discharge end, said conveyor means positioned consecutively end to end, the first of said conveyor means feeding said articles onto the second of said consecutive conveyor means, said first consecutive conveyor means being the first of said conveyor means to convey said articles; a recirculating conveyor and a packaging means positioned at the discharge end of said second conveyor means; flow diverting means for diverting said articles from said packaging means to said recirculating conveyor means; said packaging means including signal means for producing a signal responsive to a predetermined condition of said packaging means; power means for actuating said flow diverting means; said power means actuating said flow diverting means in response to said predetermined signal from said signal means; said recirculating conveyor means positioned so as to receive said flow of articles diverted by said flow diverting means in order to return said diverted articles to a portion of said infeed conveyor means; said consecutive conveyor means each including variable speed drive means for driving said consecutive conveyor means at successively faster speeds such that said articles are accelerated to a speed sufficient to carry them into said packaging means from said discharge end of said second consecutive conveyor means, said acceleration causing said articles to be evenly spaced along the length of said consecutive conveyors, said first consecutive conveyor means being driven at the slowest speed and said second consecutive conveyor means being driven at a faster speed; each of said consecutive conveyor means including guide means for dividing said articles into columns such that each of said conveyor means carries at least two columns of articles; said first conveyor including reciprocating means for reciprocating said first conveyor guide means transverse to the direction of said flow of articles on said first conveyor means.

5. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said conveyor means each comprise a plurality of conveyors arranged side by side such that a multiplerow conveyor is formed, each conveyor of the first of said multiple-row conveyors feeding said articles into the corresponding conveyors of the next consecutive multiple-row conveyor, each conveyor of said next consecutive multiple-row conveyor feeding said articles into the corresponding conveyor row of another consecutive multiple-row conveyor and so on until said articles reach said last of said consecutive conveyors.

6. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said guide means segregate said articles into a sufficient number of columns such that each row of said multiple-row conveyors carries at least two columns of said articles.

7. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said guide means are supported above said multiple-row conveyors such that said conveyors are free to travel beneath said guide means.

8. Apparatus for packaging means including an infeed conveyor for transporting a flow of articles com prising in combination at least two conveyor means, each of said conveyor means including an infeed and a discharge end, said conveyor means positioned consecutively end to end, the first of said conveyor means feeding said articles onto the second of said consecutive conveyor means, said first consecutive conveyor means being the first of said conveyor means to convey said articles; recirculating conveyor means and packaging means positioned at the discharge end of said second conveyor; flow diverting means for diverting said articles from said packaging means to said recirculating conveyor means; said packaging means including signal means for producing a signal responsive to a predetermined condition of said packaging means; power means for actuating said flow diverting means; said power means actuating said flow diverting means in response to said predetermined signal from said signal means; said recirculating conveyor means positioned so as to receive said flow of articles diverted by said flow diverting means in order to return said diverted articles to a portion of said infeed conveyor means; said consecutive conveyor means each including variable speed drive means for driving said consecutive conveyor means at successively faster speeds such that said articles are accelerated to a speed sufficient to carry them into said packaging means from said discharge end of said second consecutive conveyor means, said acceleration causing said articles to be evenly spaced along the length of said consecutive conveyors, said first consecutive conveyor means being driven atthe slowest speed and said second consecutive conveyor means being driven at a faster speed; each of said consecutive conveyor means including guide means for dividing said articles into columns such that each of said conveyor means carries at least two columns of articles; said conveyor means each comprising a plurality of conveyors arranged side by side such that a multiple-row conveyor is formed, each conveyor of the first of said multiple-row conveyors feeding said articles into the corresponding conveyors of the next consecutive multiplerow conveyor, each conveyor of said next consecutive multiple-row conveyor feeding said articles into the corresponding conveyor row of another consecutive multiple-row conveyor and so on until said articles reach said last of said consecutive conveyors; said guide means segregating said articles into a sufficient number of columns such that each row of said multiplerow conveyors carries at least two columns of said articles; said guide means being supported above said multiple-row conveyors such that said conveyors are free to travel beneath said guide means; said first conveyor guide means being-reciprocally supported above said first multiple-row conveyor; said apparatus further including reciprocating means for reciprocating said guide means transverse to the direction of said flow of articles on said first conveyor means.

9. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein said guide means comprise sloped walls for each column over said conveyor rows in said first multiple-row conveyor; said sloped walls forming troughs with said conveyor rows, the bottoms of said troughs being said conveyor rows, said sloped walls facilitating the orientation of said articles on said conveyor as said first conveyor guide means reciprocate above said first multiple-row conveyor; said sloped walls flaring into vertical walls over the remaining consecutive conveyor rows after said first multiple-row conveyor.

10. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said flow diverting means comprises at least one gate; means for pivotally mounting said gate such that in response to said predetermined signal from said signal means said gate will be pivoted by said flow diverting power means across the flow of said articles thereby diverting said flow of articles from said packaging means to said intermediate recirculating conveyor means.

ll. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein said power means comprises a plurality of compressed air cylinders connected one to each of said gates for actuating and causing said gates to pivot across said flow of articles thereby diverting said flow of articles ontosaid recirculating conveyor.

12. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said recirculating conveyor means comprises a single conveyor mounted transverse to said flow of articles at said discharge end of said last conveyor means such that said articles diverted from said packaging means by said flow diverting means will be received by said single conveyor and be recirculated to said first conveyor means.

13. A packaging apparatus having infeed conveyor means with a discharge end; packaging means adjacent to and in rectilinear alignment with said discharge end; flow diverting and recirculating apparatus mounted intermediate said discharge end and packaging means, said flow diverting and recirculating apparatus comprising gate means and a recirculating conveyor means; said gate means being mounted for movement from a first position to a second position; said gate when in said first position permitting said discharge end of said conveyor to discharge the material carried thereby in a free trajectory over said recirculating conveyor means into said packaging means and when in said second position being adapted to block said free trajectory and prevent said material from entering said packaging means at said discharge end, and to cause said material to be received by said recirculating conveyor means which recirculates said material to be packaged back to a portion'of said infeed conveyor thereby eliminating any jamming of and any need for stopping said infeed conveyor when said packaging apparatus is unable to package said material.

14. A packaging apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said infeed conveyor means includes guide means for dividing the articles into columns and said gate means are pivotal extensions of at least one of said guide means such that said pivotal extensions may pivot across each of saidcolumns thereby diverting said flow in each column onto said recirculating conveyor means.

15. Packaging apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said recirculating conveyor means is mounted at said discharge end of said infeed conveyor transverse to said flow of material on said conveyor such that said flow diverted by said gate means will be received and carried back to a portion of said infeed conveyor.

16. Packaging apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said gate means are pivoted across the flow of material in said columns by fluid motive power means; and said packaging apparatus includes signal means; said fluid motive power means operating to pivot said gate means in response to a signal from said signal means.- i

17. A packaging ayparatus having a packaging means and an infeed conveyor means with a flow diverting and recirculating apparatus mounted therebetween, said flow diverting and recirculating apparatus comprising gate means and a recirculating conveyor means; said gate means being mounted for movement from a first position to a second position; said gate when in said first position permitting said discharge end of said conveyor to discharge the material carried thereby into said packaging means and when in said second position being adapted to prevent said material from entering said packaging means at said discharge end, and to cause said material to be received by said recirculating conveyor means which recirculates said material to be packaged back to a portion of said infeed conveyor thereby eliminating any jamming of and anyneed for stopping said infeed conveyor when said packaging apparatus is unable to package said material; said infeed conveyor means including guide means for dividing the articles into columns; said gate means comprising pivotal extensions of at least one of said guide means such that said pivotal extensions may pivot across each of said columns thereby diverting said flow in each column onto said recirculating conveyor means; said recirculating conveyor means being mounted at said discharge end of said infeed conveyor transverse to said flow of material on said conveyor such that said flow diverted by said gate means will be received and carried back to a portion of said infeed conveyor; said gate means being pivotable across the flow of material in said columns by fluid motive power means; and said packaging apparatus including signal means; said fluid motive power means operating to pivot said gate means in response to a signal from said signal means; said infeed conveyor comprising at least two consecutive sections, an infeed section and a discharge section; said sections being driven by drive means; said guide means mounted over said infeed section being reciprocated transverse to the flow on said section by a reciprocating means; said discharge section being driven at a successively greater speed than said infeed section such that said reciprocation of said infeed section guide means properly orients said material on said conveyor and said successively increased speed of said discharge sections properly and evenly spaces said material along the length of said conveyor.

18. Packaging apparatus including an infeed conveyor means for transporting a flow of articles and means for orienting said articles on said conveyor; said infeed conveyor means comprising at least two conveyor means, each of said conveyor means including an infeed and a discharge end, said conveyor means positioned consecutively end to end, the first of said conveyor means feeding said articles onto the second of said consecutive conveyor means; said means for orienting said articles comprising guide means mounted on each of said consecutive conveyor means and variable speed drive means, said drive means adapted to drive each of said conveyor means at a successively faster speed than the next previous conveyor means, said guide means and drive means orienting and aligning said articles whereby those articles will properly enter a packaging apparatus; said guide means comprising means for segregating said articles into columns such that each of said consecutive conveyor means carries at least two columns of articles; said conveyor guide means being reciprocally supported above at least one of said conveyor means, said one conveyor means including said reciprocally supported guide means also including reciprocally supported guide means also including reciprocating means for reciprocating said guide means transverse to the direction of flow on said one conveyor means.

19. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 18 wherein said reciprocating means and reciprocally supported guide means are mounted on said first conveyor means.

20. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 18 wherein said conveyor means each comprise a plurality of conveyors, arranged side by side such that a multiple-row conveyor is formed, each conveyor of the first of said multiple-row conveyors feeding said articles into the corresponding conveyors of the next consecutive multiple-row conveyor and so on until said articles reach the last of said consecutive multiple-row conveyors where said articles are transported into a packaging apparatus.

21. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 20 wherein said guide means segregate said articles into a sufficient number of columns such that each row of said multiple-row conveyors carries at least two columns of said articles.

22. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 21 wherein said guide means comprise sloped walls for each column over said conveyor rows in said first multiple-row conveyor; said sloped walls forming troughs with said conveyor rows, the bottom of said troughs being said conveyor rows, said sloped walls facilitating the orientation of said articles on said conveyor as said first conveyor guide means reciprocate above said first multiple-row conveyor; said sloped walls flaring into vertical walls over the remaining consecutive conveyor rows after said first multiple-row conveyor.

23. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 20 wherein each of said multiple-row conveyor means includes a separate and independent variable speed drive means.

24. Apparatus for packaging means including an in-. feed conveyor for transporting a flow of articles comprising in combination at least two conveyor means, each of said conveyor means including an infeed and a discharge end, said conveyor means positioned consecutively end to end, the first of said conveyor means feeding said articles onto the second of said consecutive conveyor means, said first consecutive conveyor means being the first of said conveyor means to convey said articles; packaging means positioned at the discharge end of said second conveyor means in alignment therewith including signal means for producing a signal responsive to a predetermined condition of said packaging means; means for receiving said articles from the discharge end of said second conveyor means, said receiving means positioned intermediate said packaging means and said discharge end of said second conveyor means; said second conveyor means including means for causing said articles to flow in a free trajectory over said receiving means and into said packaging means; flow diverting means for diverting said articles from said packaging means to said intermediate receiving means; power means for actuating said flow diverting means; said power means actuating said flow diverting means in response to said signal from said signal means; said receiving means positioned so as to receive said flow of articles diverted by said flow diverting means.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said receiving means is a conveyor for carrying said diverted articles away from said discharge end of said second conveyor means positioned generally transverse to said discharge end of said second conveyor means.

26. A packaging apparatus having infeed conveyor means with a discharge end; packaging means adjacent to and in rectilinear alignment with said discharge end; flow diverting apparatus and diverted-material receiving apparatus mounted intermediate said discharge end and said packaging means; said packaging means including signal means for producing a signal responsive to a predetermined condition of said packaging means; said flow diverting apparatus comprising gate means and means for mounting and moving said gate means from a first position to a second position in response to a signal from said signal means; said gate, when in said first position, permitting said discharge end of said conveyor to discharge the material carried thereby in a free trajectory over said diverted-material receiving means into said packaging means and when in said second position being adapted to block said free trajectory and prevent said material from entering said packaging means at said discharge end, and to cause said material to be received by said diverted-material receiving means whereby any jamming of and any need for stopping said infeed conveyor when said packaging appara tus is unable to package all of said material carried thereon is eliminated by the diversion and reception of said diverted portion of said material.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said divertedmaterial receiving means is a conveyor for carrying said diverted portion of said material away from said discharge end of said infeed conveyor means positioned generally transverse to said discharge end of said infeed conveyor means.

may I Y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,807,124 Dated April 30 1974 Inv n fls) Lee S. Kihnke I It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 4, line 50;

"3" should be --36 Claim 18, lines 18 and 19;

"reciprocally supporte d guide means also including" should be deleted Signed and sealed this 29th day of October 197A.

(SEAL) .Attest:

I MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. Apparatus for packaging means including an infeed conveyor for transporting a flow of articles comprising in combination at least two conveyor means, each of said conveyor means including an infeed and a discharge end, said conveyor means positioned consecutively end to end, the first of said conveyor means feeding said articles onto the second of said consecutive conveyor means, said first consecutive conveyor means being the first of said conveyor means to convey said articles; packaging means positioned at the discharge end of said second conveyor means; recirculating conveyor means positioneD intermediate said packaging means and said discharge end of said second conveyor means; said second conveyor means including means for causing said articles to flow in a free trajectory over said recirculating conveyor means and into said packaging means; flow diverting means for diverting said articles from said packaging means to said intermediate recirculating conveyor means; said packaging means including signal means for producing a signal responsive to a predetermined condition of said packaging means; power means for actuating said flow diverting means; said power means actuating said flow diverting means in response to said signal from said signal means; said recirculating conveyor means positioned so as to receive said flow of articles diverted by said flow diverting means in order to convey said articles away from said discharge end of said second conveyor.
 2. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said consecutive conveyor means include means for driving said consecutive conveyor means at successively faster speeds such that said articles are accelerated to a speed sufficient to carry them into said packaging means from said discharge end of said second consecutive conveyor means, said acceleration causing said articles to be evenly spaced along the length of said consecutive conveyors, said first consecutive conveyor means being driven at the slowest speed and said second consecutive conveyor means being driven at a faster speed.
 3. The packaging apparatus of claim 1 in which each of said consecutive conveyor means includes guide means for dividing said articles into columns such that each of said conveyor means carries at least two columns of articles.
 4. Apparatus for packaging means including an infeed conveyor for transporting a flow of articles comprising in combination at least two conveyor means, each of said conveyor means including an infeed and a discharge end, said conveyor means positioned consecutively end to end, the first of said conveyor means feeding said articles onto the second of said consecutive conveyor means, said first consecutive conveyor means being the first of said conveyor means to convey said articles; a recirculating conveyor and a packaging means positioned at the discharge end of said second conveyor means; flow diverting means for diverting said articles from said packaging means to said recirculating conveyor means; said packaging means including signal means for producing a signal responsive to a predetermined condition of said packaging means; power means for actuating said flow diverting means; said power means actuating said flow diverting means in response to said predetermined signal from said signal means; said recirculating conveyor means positioned so as to receive said flow of articles diverted by said flow diverting means in order to return said diverted articles to a portion of said infeed conveyor means; said consecutive conveyor means each including variable speed drive means for driving said consecutive conveyor means at successively faster speeds such that said articles are accelerated to a speed sufficient to carry them into said packaging means from said discharge end of said second consecutive conveyor means, said acceleration causing said articles to be evenly spaced along the length of said consecutive conveyors, said first consecutive conveyor means being driven at the slowest speed and said second consecutive conveyor means being driven at a faster speed; each of said consecutive conveyor means including guide means for dividing said articles into columns such that each of said conveyor means carries at least two columns of articles; said first conveyor including reciprocating means for reciprocating said first conveyor guide means transverse to the direction of said flow of articles on said first conveyor means.
 5. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said conveyor means each comprise a plurality of conveyors arranged side by side such that a multiple-row conveyor is formed, each conveyor of the first of said multiple-row conveyors feeding said articles into the corresponding conveyors of the next consecutive multiple-row conveyor, each conveyor of said next consecutive multiple-row conveyor feeding said articles into the corresponding conveyor row of another consecutive multiple-row conveyor and so on until said articles reach said last of said consecutive conveyors.
 6. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 5 wherein said guide means segregate said articles into a sufficient number of columns such that each row of said multiple-row conveyors carries at least two columns of said articles.
 7. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein said guide means are supported above said multiple-row conveyors such that said conveyors are free to travel beneath said guide means.
 8. Apparatus for packaging means including an infeed conveyor for transporting a flow of articles comprising in combination at least two conveyor means, each of said conveyor means including an infeed and a discharge end, said conveyor means positioned consecutively end to end, the first of said conveyor means feeding said articles onto the second of said consecutive conveyor means, said first consecutive conveyor means being the first of said conveyor means to convey said articles; recirculating conveyor means and packaging means positioned at the discharge end of said second conveyor; flow diverting means for diverting said articles from said packaging means to said recirculating conveyor means; said packaging means including signal means for producing a signal responsive to a predetermined condition of said packaging means; power means for actuating said flow diverting means; said power means actuating said flow diverting means in response to said predetermined signal from said signal means; said recirculating conveyor means positioned so as to receive said flow of articles diverted by said flow diverting means in order to return said diverted articles to a portion of said infeed conveyor means; said consecutive conveyor means each including variable speed drive means for driving said consecutive conveyor means at successively faster speeds such that said articles are accelerated to a speed sufficient to carry them into said packaging means from said discharge end of said second consecutive conveyor means, said acceleration causing said articles to be evenly spaced along the length of said consecutive conveyors, said first consecutive conveyor means being driven at the slowest speed and said second consecutive conveyor means being driven at a faster speed; each of said consecutive conveyor means including guide means for dividing said articles into columns such that each of said conveyor means carries at least two columns of articles; said conveyor means each comprising a plurality of conveyors arranged side by side such that a multiple-row conveyor is formed, each conveyor of the first of said multiple-row conveyors feeding said articles into the corresponding conveyors of the next consecutive multiple-row conveyor, each conveyor of said next consecutive multiple-row conveyor feeding said articles into the corresponding conveyor row of another consecutive multiple-row conveyor and so on until said articles reach said last of said consecutive conveyors; said guide means segregating said articles into a sufficient number of columns such that each row of said multiple-row conveyors carries at least two columns of said articles; said guide means being supported above said multiple-row conveyors such that said conveyors are free to travel beneath said guide means; said first conveyor guide means being reciprocally supported above said first multiple-row conveyor; said apparatus further including reciprocating means for reciprocating said guide means transverse to the direction of said flow of articles on said first conveyor means.
 9. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein said guide means comprise sloped walls for each column over said conveyor rows in Said first multiple-row conveyor; said sloped walls forming troughs with said conveyor rows, the bottoms of said troughs being said conveyor rows, said sloped walls facilitating the orientation of said articles on said conveyor as said first conveyor guide means reciprocate above said first multiple-row conveyor; said sloped walls flaring into vertical walls over the remaining consecutive conveyor rows after said first multiple-row conveyor.
 10. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said flow diverting means comprises at least one gate; means for pivotally mounting said gate such that in response to said predetermined signal from said signal means said gate will be pivoted by said flow diverting power means across the flow of said articles thereby diverting said flow of articles from said packaging means to said intermediate recirculating conveyor means.
 11. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein said power means comprises a plurality of compressed air cylinders connected one to each of said gates for actuating and causing said gates to pivot across said flow of articles thereby diverting said flow of articles onto said recirculating conveyor.
 12. A packaging apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said recirculating conveyor means comprises a single conveyor mounted transverse to said flow of articles at said discharge end of said last conveyor means such that said articles diverted from said packaging means by said flow diverting means will be received by said single conveyor and be recirculated to said first conveyor means.
 13. A packaging apparatus having infeed conveyor means with a discharge end; packaging means adjacent to and in rectilinear alignment with said discharge end; flow diverting and recirculating apparatus mounted intermediate said discharge end and packaging means, said flow diverting and recirculating apparatus comprising gate means and a recirculating conveyor means; said gate means being mounted for movement from a first position to a second position; said gate when in said first position permitting said discharge end of said conveyor to discharge the material carried thereby in a free trajectory over said recirculating conveyor means into said packaging means and when in said second position being adapted to block said free trajectory and prevent said material from entering said packaging means at said discharge end, and to cause said material to be received by said recirculating conveyor means which recirculates said material to be packaged back to a portion of said infeed conveyor thereby eliminating any jamming of and any need for stopping said infeed conveyor when said packaging apparatus is unable to package said material.
 14. A packaging apparatus in accordance with claim 13 wherein said infeed conveyor means includes guide means for dividing the articles into columns and said gate means are pivotal extensions of at least one of said guide means such that said pivotal extensions may pivot across each of said columns thereby diverting said flow in each column onto said recirculating conveyor means.
 15. Packaging apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said recirculating conveyor means is mounted at said discharge end of said infeed conveyor transverse to said flow of material on said conveyor such that said flow diverted by said gate means will be received and carried back to a portion of said infeed conveyor.
 16. Packaging apparatus in accordance with claim 15 wherein said gate means are pivoted across the flow of material in said columns by fluid motive power means; and said packaging apparatus includes signal means; said fluid motive power means operating to pivot said gate means in response to a signal from said signal means.
 17. A packaging ayparatus having a packaging means and an infeed conveyor means with a flow diverting and recirculating apparatus mounted therebetween, said flow diverting and recirculating apparatus comprising gate means and a recirculating conveyor means; Said gate means being mounted for movement from a first position to a second position; said gate when in said first position permitting said discharge end of said conveyor to discharge the material carried thereby into said packaging means and when in said second position being adapted to prevent said material from entering said packaging means at said discharge end, and to cause said material to be received by said recirculating conveyor means which recirculates said material to be packaged back to a portion of said infeed conveyor thereby eliminating any jamming of and any need for stopping said infeed conveyor when said packaging apparatus is unable to package said material; said infeed conveyor means including guide means for dividing the articles into columns; said gate means comprising pivotal extensions of at least one of said guide means such that said pivotal extensions may pivot across each of said columns thereby diverting said flow in each column onto said recirculating conveyor means; said recirculating conveyor means being mounted at said discharge end of said infeed conveyor transverse to said flow of material on said conveyor such that said flow diverted by said gate means will be received and carried back to a portion of said infeed conveyor; said gate means being pivotable across the flow of material in said columns by fluid motive power means; and said packaging apparatus including signal means; said fluid motive power means operating to pivot said gate means in response to a signal from said signal means; said infeed conveyor comprising at least two consecutive sections, an infeed section and a discharge section; said sections being driven by drive means; said guide means mounted over said infeed section being reciprocated transverse to the flow on said section by a reciprocating means; said discharge section being driven at a successively greater speed than said infeed section such that said reciprocation of said infeed section guide means properly orients said material on said conveyor and said successively increased speed of said discharge sections properly and evenly spaces said material along the length of said conveyor.
 18. Packaging apparatus including an infeed conveyor means for transporting a flow of articles and means for orienting said articles on said conveyor; said infeed conveyor means comprising at least two conveyor means, each of said conveyor means including an infeed and a discharge end, said conveyor means positioned consecutively end to end, the first of said conveyor means feeding said articles onto the second of said consecutive conveyor means; said means for orienting said articles comprising guide means mounted on each of said consecutive conveyor means and variable speed drive means, said drive means adapted to drive each of said conveyor means at a successively faster speed than the next previous conveyor means, said guide means and drive means orienting and aligning said articles whereby those articles will properly enter a packaging apparatus; said guide means comprising means for segregating said articles into columns such that each of said consecutive conveyor means carries at least two columns of articles; said conveyor guide means being reciprocally supported above at least one of said conveyor means, said one conveyor means including said reciprocally supported guide means also including reciprocally supported guide means also including reciprocating means for reciprocating said guide means transverse to the direction of flow on said one conveyor means.
 19. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 18 wherein said reciprocating means and reciprocally supported guide means are mounted on said first conveyor means.
 20. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 18 wherein said conveyor means each comprise a plurality of conveyors, arranged side by side such that a multiple-row conveyor is formed, each conveyor of the first of said multiple-row conveyors feeding said articles into the corresponding conveyors Of the next consecutive multiple-row conveyor and so on until said articles reach the last of said consecutive multiple-row conveyors where said articles are transported into a packaging apparatus.
 21. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 20 wherein said guide means segregate said articles into a sufficient number of columns such that each row of said multiple-row conveyors carries at least two columns of said articles.
 22. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 21 wherein said guide means comprise sloped walls for each column over said conveyor rows in said first multiple-row conveyor; said sloped walls forming troughs with said conveyor rows, the bottom of said troughs being said conveyor rows, said sloped walls facilitating the orientation of said articles on said conveyor as said first conveyor guide means reciprocate above said first multiple-row conveyor; said sloped walls flaring into vertical walls over the remaining consecutive conveyor rows after said first multiple-row conveyor.
 23. Packaging apparatus as described in claim 20 wherein each of said multiple-row conveyor means includes a separate and independent variable speed drive means.
 24. Apparatus for packaging means including an infeed conveyor for transporting a flow of articles comprising in combination at least two conveyor means, each of said conveyor means including an infeed and a discharge end, said conveyor means positioned consecutively end to end, the first of said conveyor means feeding said articles onto the second of said consecutive conveyor means, said first consecutive conveyor means being the first of said conveyor means to convey said articles; packaging means positioned at the discharge end of said second conveyor means in alignment therewith including signal means for producing a signal responsive to a predetermined condition of said packaging means; means for receiving said articles from the discharge end of said second conveyor means, said receiving means positioned intermediate said packaging means and said discharge end of said second conveyor means; said second conveyor means including means for causing said articles to flow in a free trajectory over said receiving means and into said packaging means; flow diverting means for diverting said articles from said packaging means to said intermediate receiving means; power means for actuating said flow diverting means; said power means actuating said flow diverting means in response to said signal from said signal means; said receiving means positioned so as to receive said flow of articles diverted by said flow diverting means.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said receiving means is a conveyor for carrying said diverted articles away from said discharge end of said second conveyor means positioned generally transverse to said discharge end of said second conveyor means.
 26. A packaging apparatus having infeed conveyor means with a discharge end; packaging means adjacent to and in rectilinear alignment with said discharge end; flow diverting apparatus and diverted-material receiving apparatus mounted intermediate said discharge end and said packaging means; said packaging means including signal means for producing a signal responsive to a predetermined condition of said packaging means; said flow diverting apparatus comprising gate means and means for mounting and moving said gate means from a first position to a second position in response to a signal from said signal means; said gate, when in said first position, permitting said discharge end of said conveyor to discharge the material carried thereby in a free trajectory over said diverted-material receiving means into said packaging means and when in said second position being adapted to block said free trajectory and prevent said material from entering said packaging means at said discharge end, and to cause said material to be received by said diverted-material receiving means whereby any jamming of and any need for stopping said infeed conveyor when saId packaging apparatus is unable to package all of said material carried thereon is eliminated by the diversion and reception of said diverted portion of said material.
 27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said diverted-material receiving means is a conveyor for carrying said diverted portion of said material away from said discharge end of said infeed conveyor means positioned generally transverse to said discharge end of said infeed conveyor means. 